Croft



numerous EDGAR ASHCROFT, OF LONDON, ENG-LAND.

PROCESS OF PRODUCING- NITROG-EN AND REMOVING OXYGEN FROM METURES 0FGASES.

No Drawing.

generally the removal of oxygen from mixtures of gases containing it andthe obtainment of useful products of, or resulting from, oxidation, andde'oxidation, and consists in the employment, for such purposes, of achemically reactive alloy of magnesium and lead, (including undermagnesium any suitable nietal of the magnesium calcium type andincluding under lead any metal'of the lead-barium type).

The proportions of the constituent-metals of the alloy which I havefound to answer the purpose ofmy invention are from five per cent. tofifty per cent. of magnesium (or metal of the magnesium-calcium type) tow from ninety-five per cent. to fifty per cent. Y

of lead (or metal ofthe lead-barium type). Usually an alloy containingabout fifteen per cent, of magnesium to eighty-five per cent. of leadwill answer best in the cold.

The invention may be carried out by passing the gases containing oxygenover or 7 through, the alloy which may lie in any,

suitable condition, such as granular, or powdered, which will presentsufliclent surface to the gases. From the oxidized metal' obtained bypassing the gases containing oxygen over, or througlnthe aforesaid alloyproducts and useful efi'ects can be obtained- The conversion of the leadto PhD takes place readily, on heating the mixture to about 400centigrade in the presence of air. When however the more reactive leadhydroxid is desired this may be obtained by a longer exposure of themixture in am, after damping with water, or by exposure in a very moist,or steamy, atmosphere. a V

The hydrates are extremely reactrve substances and are obtained asaforesald in a condition very suitable for subsequent further reactions.For many purposes the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed .Tune 6, 1918. Serial No. 238,612.

cal properties oxidation of these alloys. there Patented Get. as, rare.

mixture ofhydrates of lead and magnesium may be used without separation.As an example of this procedure I mention the manufacture of leadperoxid which, accordlngt'd the known reaction, may be easily producedby passing chlorin gas into water in which is suspended amixture ofPbOJ-I and MgO l l in 'molecular proportions.

The oxidized alloys may also be employed for the preparation of anyother lead salts, or compounds, and form in fact a most convenient basefor this purpose. For

instance a very fine quality of basic lead carbonate (white lead) may beobtained with carbonic acid, either with, or without, separation of thema esia. Litharge and minium may also be 0 tained from the material, ofgreat processes according to known practice or any suitable methods.

very easily by acting on the lead hydrate purity and excellent physiysimple and economical.

The mixture of oxids resulting from the v re forms a most valuablestarting point for many other manufactures and in numerous inlead) itsuse will constitute substantial im provements. in the manufacture ofthese products. 7

In carryingout the invention in practice I may use for producingnitrogen, from atmospheric air for instance, an ordinary gas-holder withan open water tank and means for supporting and exposing the saidalloyin the' gas space, the progress of the reactions being noted bythe. movements of the gas-holder. -Or a smaller vessel may be used withmeans for exposing the alloy and gently circulating the mixed gases'over it by means of fans.

Ammonia may if desired be produced readily from the aforesaid alloys byacting on the heated powdered alloy with nitrostances '(suchas leadperoxid and white cium type with metal of the lead-barium type.

2. A process involving the deoxidation of a gas, which comprises thestep of bringing a gas which comprises the step of bringing 25 the gas'into contact with a chemically re ach ve alloy of magnesium'and lead.

3. A process involving the deoxidation of a gas, which comprises thestep of bringing the gas into contact with a chemically reactive alloyof from five per cent. to y per cent. of metal of the magnesium-calciumtype with ninety-five per cent. to fifty per cent. pf metal of theleadebarium type.

4. A process involving the deoxidation of a gas, which comprises thestep of bringing the gas into contact with a chemically reactive alloyof fifteen per cent. of metal of the magnesium-calcium type with eightyrfive per cent. of metal of the lead-barium 5. A a gas, which comprisesthe step of bringing the gas into contact with a chemically reactivealloy of five to fifty per cent. magnesium with ninety-five per cent. tofifty per cent. of lead.

6. A process involving the deoxidation of process involving thedeoxidati'on of the gas into contact with a. chemically reactive alloyof fifteen per cent. of magnesium with eighty-five per cent. of lead.

7 A plil'ocess involving the deox'idation of a gas w 'ch comprises thestep of bringing the gas into contact with an alloy of magnesium andlead in the presence of water vapor. i

. I 8.,A process involving the deoxidation of a gas which comprises thestep of bringing the gas into contact with an alloy of magnesium andlead in the presence of water vapor, said alloy comprising from five tofifty per cent. of magnesium, and from ninety-five to fifty per cent. oflead.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

G. F. Timon, E. G. Dams.

